Catapres (clonidine) lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.
Catapres is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The Kapvay brand of clonidine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Catapres may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
Before you take Catapres, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, low blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a Catapres transdermal skin patch (Catapres TTS).
Do not take two forms of clonidine at the same time.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Catapres. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using Catapres suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using Catapres.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Catapres may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Catapres if you are allergic to clonidine.
To make sure Catapres is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
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heart disease or severe coronary artery disease;
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heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats;
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low blood pressure;
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a history of heart attack or stroke;
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pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
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kidney disease; or
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if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a clonidine transdermal skin patch (Catapres TTS).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Catapres will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
Clonidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give Kapvay to a child younger than 6 years old.
How should I take Catapres?
Take Catapres exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not take two forms of clonidine at the same time.
Catapres may be taken with or without food.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure the liquid with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Catapres. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using Catapres suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using Catapres.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath) followed by low blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting), cold feeling, shallow breathing, weakness, fainting, or pinpoint pupils.
What should I avoid?
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Catapres.
Catapres may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Catapres side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Catapres: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
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fast or pounding heartbeats, tremors;
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a very slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute);
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling, rapid weight gain;
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confusion, hallucinations;
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flu symptoms;
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urination problems; or
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feeling like you might pass out.
Other common Catapres side effects may include:
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drowsiness, dizziness;
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feeling tired or irritable;
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cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat;
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mood changes;
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sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
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headache, ear pain;
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mild fever;
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feeling hot;
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constipation, diarrhea, pain in your upper stomach;
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dry mouth, increased thirst; or
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loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect Catapres?
Taking Catapres with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can increase these effects. Ask your doctor before taking Catapres with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with Catapres, especially:
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clonidine transdermal skin patches (Catapres TTS);
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digoxin, digitalis;
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an antidepressant such as amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin, imipramine, nortriptyline, and others;
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a beta-blocker such as atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others;
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heart or blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil, and others;
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medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine, clozapine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, olanzapine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, risperidone, thiothixene, trifluoperazine, and others; or
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any other drugs to treat high blood pressure or heart problems.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with Catapres, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
